American legendary basketball player, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among several people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday, January 26, 2020.
Bryant’s Sikorsky S-76 helicopter which was transporting the 41-year-old basketballer, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna (Gigi), Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, Altobelli’s wife Keri, Altobelli’s daughter Alyssa, Christina Mauser,an assistant girls basketball coach at Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar, and three others from John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California crashed at 9:45 am on Sunday.
According to reports, the LAPD helicopters and most air traffic had been grounded due to light rain and foggy weather that morning. The flight tracker showed that the helicopter experienced issues while above the L.A. Zoo. The helicopter circled the area six times at an altitude of around 850 feet. At 9:30 a.m. the pilot contacted the Burbank Airports control tower notifying the tower of the situation. At 9:30 a.m. the helicopter experienced extreme fog and turned south towards the mountains. At 9:40 a.m. the helicopter climbed altitude from 1,200 to 2,000 feet (370 to 610 m) flying at 161 knots (298 km/h; 185 mph). Initial reports indicated that the helicopter crashed in the hills above Calabasas in heavy fog. Witnesses reported hearing a helicopter struggling before crashing.
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None of the nine occupants survived and the authorities in Los Angeles County said it could take several days to recover bodies from the crash site, as the helicopter crashed in rough terrain.
Drafted 13th overall in 1996 out of Lower Merion High School outside of Philadelphia, Bryant was a five-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA Finals MVP and the 2008 NBA MVP. The 18-time All-Star retired in 2016 after 20 seasons in the league, all with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Barrack Obama and Cristiano Ronaldo were among many in the global community that paid tribute to Bryant and his daughter.
So sad to hear the heartbreaking news of the deaths of Kobe and his daughter Gianna. Kobe was a true legend and inspiration to so many. Sending my condolences to his family and friends and the families of all who lost their lives in the crash. RIP Legend💔 pic.twitter.com/qKb3oiDHxH
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) January 26, 2020
Heartbreak at the Staples Center as fans gather to remember one of the greatest athletes of all time. Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant. #RIPMamba #Kobe pic.twitter.com/QYgro4NQ4S
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) January 26, 2020
Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020
Kobe Talking about Ronaldinho and a 17 yr old Messi. Wow 💔😭 pic.twitter.com/jJHdzE8BNa
— . (@ernesthdgamer) January 26, 2020
#RIPMamba what a sad day… You will always be remembered Kobe 😢💔 pic.twitter.com/RhyTCqt2ql
— (체리) (@cherryjeon25) January 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/KingAQui/status/1221707521171304454
“Oi I got this” GiGi I love you 😭💜
Rest well in peace Kobe and Gianna 💔 we miss you already#RIPMamba pic.twitter.com/3GYQgqwVG6— f (@mxxnbyullie) January 27, 2020
Black mamba and mambacita gone too soon. Rest easy Kobe and GiGi 💔 #RIPMamba #MambaOut pic.twitter.com/J2EGXNByBf
— f (@mxxnbyullie) January 27, 2020
Yetunde Adegoke
